The US Bankers Association says the level of people falling behind with consumer loans hit a new high in the first three months of 2009.
The association suggests rising unemployment is responsible.
Payments more than 30 days overdue have risen to the highest level since tracking of rates began in the 1970s. Credit card loan defaults have also increased.
The unemployment rate in the United States is now at high of 9.4%, the highest for 25 years.
